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Zippy and eye-catching lemon pizza brings a fresh twist to the classic Italian pie with creamy mozzarella cheese, lively garlic and herbs, and a finishing shower of bright lemon. Each bite balances the richness of cheese and olive oil with vibrant citrus punch. When you crave a pizza night that is both special and surprisingly simple, this is the recipe that delivers sunshiny flavor in every slice.
I first made this lemon pizza when I wanted to impress my friends with something different from the usual margherita and it instantly became my go to for sunny evenings and backyard gatherings.
Ingredients
- Pizza dough: Made with basic flour water yeast and salt for the perfect chewy crust look for fresh dough in the bakery section for convenience
- Extra virgin olive oil: Gives the brine a rich luxurious taste pick a good quality brand for the best flavor
- Fresh parsley: Brings herbal brightness choose vibrant green and leafy parsley
- Garlic clove: Grated for sharp aromatic depth use fresh garlic for the best result
- Lemon zest and lemon juice: Add bold citrusy punch make sure to use unwaxed lemons and zest them just before use
- Fine salt and black pepper: Season the brine and toppings always taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking
- Fresh mozzarella or firm shredded mozzarella: Melts beautifully on pizza if using fresh in water drain and pat dry to avoid sogginess
- Grated parmesan cheese: Supplies nutty salty flavor pick real parmesan for maximum taste
- To finish: Extra parsley lemon juice and a final grind of black pepper ties all the flavors together
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make the Dough:
- If using homemade dough prepare it according to your recipe and proof until doubled in size for great crust texture
- Prepare the Cheese:
- Slice the mozzarella into half inch thick pieces and pat dry with a paper towel if wet to prevent excess liquid
- Shape the Dough:
- Gently press dough out from the center on parchment paper until about nine by thirteen inches creating shallow dimples with your fingertips for the brine to settle
- Mix the Lemon Brine:
- Combine olive oil water chopped parsley grated garlic lemon zest lemon juice salt and pepper in a small jar and shake well until fully emulsified into a golden dressing
- Top the Pizza:
- Spoon the brine evenly over the dimpled dough ensuring some fills the indentations then scatter mozzarella pieces across the surface for even melting
- Bake the Pizza:
- Preheat your oven with a pizza stone or heavy sheet inside to maximum temperature carefully slide the pizza onto the hot surface and bake until crust is golden and cheese is bubbling about ten minutes but watch closely as ovens vary
- Finish and Serve:
- When the pizza emerges from the oven drizzle over extra lemon juice sprinkle with parmesan and parsley and grind over more black pepper before slicing and serving immediately
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Fresh lemon juice truly wakes up the whole pie and is my favorite part of every bite I always save the zest and juice just until serving so no brightness is lost My kids remember arguing over who got the lemoniest slice every single time we make this pizza together
Storage Tips
Lemon pizza is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven but leftovers can be wrapped in foil and stored in the fridge for up to two days To reheat place slices on a hot pan or bake in a low oven for a few minutes which crisps the crust again and revives the flavor
Ingredient Substitutions
If you do not have fresh mozzarella you can use firm shredded mozzarella for a less creamy but still delicious texture Try swapping the parsley for fresh basil in summer or a little thyme for earthiness If you are out of parmesan try pecorino romano for similar salty flavor
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Serving Suggestions
Lemon pizza pairs beautifully with a crisp arugula salad tossed in olive oil and more lemon or alongside a simple tomato salad It makes a stunning brunch centerpiece with a side of prosciutto and olives
Cultural Context
Citrus topped pizzas like this one have roots in southern Italy where lemons are abundant Lemon flavor is known for cutting through rich cheesy dishes and bringing lightness to meals enjoyed outdoors I always think of coastal picnics when I make this at home
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How do I prevent soggy pizza from fresh mozzarella?
If using fresh mozzarella packed in water, slice and blot it thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture before topping the dough.
- → Can I use store-bought pizza dough?
Yes, store-bought dough works well and makes pizza prep much quicker. Let it come to room temperature before shaping for best results.
- → Why use lemon zest and juice?
Lemon zest adds fragrant oil and brightness, while juice gives the pizza a fresh tang that cuts through the richness of the cheese.
- → What's the best way to bake this pizza?
Bake on a preheated pizza stone or steel at a high temperature for a crisp crust and bubbly, browned cheese. Keep an eye on cooking time as ovens vary.
- → How should leftovers be stored?
Cool slices completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in a hot oven to restore crispness.